The Men's Elite U-20 Quarter Finals were played Wednesday Jan. 2, 2008 in Pardubice, Czech Republic. Canada beat Finland 4-2 to advance to play in the Semi Finals against undefeated Junior Ice Hockey Team USA. Brad Marchand scored the game winning goal and Steve Mason was the goaltender for Canada in their victory over Finland. Meanwhile, Team Russia out did the Czech Republic 4-1. Russia's Viktor Tikhonov got the game winner for Russia, and their winning goalie was Sergei Bobrovsky with 12 saves on a mere 13 shots. Washington Capitals' goaltending prospect Michal Neuvirth picked up the loss in this game, but tended net in Czech Republic's 5-1 win over Finland the next day to take Fifth Place. Russia would go on to face undefeated Sweden in a Semi Final game.
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It took Overtime for Sweden to get the Semi Final win against Russia on Friday Jan. 4, 2008. Russia had the only goal through the first two periods. Mikael Backlund put in the game winner at 66:18. It had been a pretty defensive game, with few shots on goal. And so Russia would face the loser of the other Semi Final in a quest for the Bronze Medal.
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USA and Canada went scoreless in their first period, just as the other Semi Finalists had. Canada would get the scoring going in the second period. Shawn Matthias got the first goal early in the middle period. Then, Capitals' prospect Karl Alzner put the puck past USA's goaltender Jeremy Smith for what turned out to be the game winner. Canada went on to win with some great defensive play and game MVP netminding by Steve Mason. Final score was USA 1 - Canada 4.
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Tomorrow's games will also be played at the CEZ Arena in Pardubice, Czech Republic. USA will play against Russia for third place Bronze. The Gold Medal game will be a rematch of Canada vs Sweden. A win by Canada tomorrow would earn them their fourth straight Gold Medal in the U-20 Championship.
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